Nothing Phone (3a) Pro vs Xiaomi 14T Pro: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Flagship Performance

The mid-range flagship space is heating up, with both Nothing and Xiaomi aiming for the sweet spot of premium features without the premium price tag. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro brings a refined design and Qualcomm’s latest 7-series silicon, while the Xiaomi 14T Pro counters with MediaTek’s powerhouse Dimensity 9300+ and blazing-fast 120W charging. This comparison dissects these two contenders to determine which offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and rapid charging, the Xiaomi 14T Pro emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 9300+ chipset delivers a noticeable performance edge, and the 120W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers a compelling alternative with excellent battery endurance and a unique design aesthetic.

PHONES
Phone Names Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Xiaomi 14T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, March 042024, September 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 25Available. Released 2024, September 26
Body
BuildGlass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, glass backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back (Panda X)
Dimensions163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm (6.44 x 3.05 x 0.33 in)160.4 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.31 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - India only· Nano-SIM + eSIM· eSIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)209 g (7.37 oz)
Display
ProtectionPanda Glass, Mohs level 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2392 pixels (~387 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.77 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 4000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 810Immortalis-G720 MC12
OSAndroid 15, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.1Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLeica lens, Ultra HDR, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto) (15cm - ∞), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 60mm (telephoto), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF, 2.6x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, gyro-EIS, 10-bit Rec. 2020, HDR10+
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single50 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/2.76"32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.44", 0.64µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR10+
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, LHDC
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging50W wired, 50% in 19 min, 100% in 56 min120W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 19 min 50W wireless, 100% in 45 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, GrayTitan Gray, Titan Blue, Titan Black
ModelsA059P2407FPN8EG
Price€ 380.00$ 550.00 / £ 498.00 / € 539.99
SAR EU-0.99 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery43:17h endurance, 1400 cycles-
EnergyClass C-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

  • Exceptional battery life (43:17h endurance)
  • Unique Glyph Interface design
  • Slightly brighter display (1307 nits)

  • Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 7s Gen 3)
  • Slower charging speed (50W wired)

Xiaomi 14T Pro

  • Superior performance (Dimensity 9300+)
  • Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
  • 50W wireless charging support

  • Shorter battery life (12:32h active use)
  • Potentially more aggressive software (Xiaomi HyperOS)

Display Comparison

Both the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro and Xiaomi 14T Pro feature vibrant displays, but subtle differences exist. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro reaches a measured peak brightness of 1307 nits, slightly surpassing the Xiaomi 14T Pro’s 1228 nits. While both are excellent for outdoor visibility, the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro’s higher peak brightness provides a marginal advantage in direct sunlight. Neither specification details refresh rate or panel technology (LTPO), so we must assume standard OLED panels. The Xiaomi 14T Pro’s display is likely tuned for more saturated colors, typical of Xiaomi’s display calibration, while Nothing generally aims for a more natural look.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset difference suggests the Xiaomi 14T Pro has more processing power available for computational photography. The Dimensity 9300+’s advanced ISP (Image Signal Processor) can handle more complex image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. Both phones likely feature capable main sensors, but the Xiaomi’s chipset gives it an advantage in post-processing and overall image quality. We can assume both phones will have a standard array of lenses, but the Xiaomi’s processing power will likely be the deciding factor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 14T Pro’s MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ boasts a 1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core and 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 performance cores, significantly outperforming the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro’s Qualcomm SM7635 Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520). This translates to a substantial advantage for the Xiaomi in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. While both are built on a 4nm process, the Dimensity 9300+'s newer architecture and higher clock speeds provide a clear edge. The Xiaomi 14T Pro will likely exhibit less throttling under sustained load, offering more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 is still a capable chip, but it’s positioned a tier below the Dimensity 9300+.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro demonstrates impressive battery endurance with a measured 43:17h endurance and an active use score of 13:37h, exceeding the Xiaomi 14T Pro’s 12:32h active use score. However, the Xiaomi 14T Pro compensates with significantly faster charging. Its 120W wired charging can fully charge the battery in just 19 minutes, while the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro takes 56 minutes to reach 100%. The Xiaomi also adds 50W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro. This means while the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro offers longer runtimes, the Xiaomi 14T Pro minimizes downtime with its incredibly fast charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro if you value long-lasting battery life, a distinctive design with the Glyph Interface, and a smooth, efficient user experience. Buy the Xiaomi 14T Pro if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and if minimizing charging time is a top priority. The Xiaomi also appeals to users who prefer a more feature-rich software experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9300+ in the Xiaomi 14T Pro get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 9300+ is a powerful chip, MediaTek has made strides in thermal efficiency. However, it's likely to get warmer than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro during prolonged, demanding gaming. Xiaomi typically employs effective cooling solutions, but some throttling may occur to maintain safe operating temperatures.
❓ How does Nothing OS compare to Xiaomi HyperOS in terms of bloatware and user experience?
Nothing OS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with minimal bloatware. Xiaomi HyperOS, while improved, historically includes more pre-installed apps and customization options. Users who prefer a streamlined, uncluttered interface will likely favor Nothing OS, while those who enjoy extensive customization may prefer Xiaomi HyperOS.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on the Xiaomi 14T Pro significantly faster than standard wireless charging?
Yes, 50W wireless charging is considerably faster than typical wireless charging speeds (often 15-25W). It can fully charge the Xiaomi 14T Pro in approximately 45 minutes, making it a convenient alternative to wired charging, especially for topping up the battery overnight.